Lock for automobile-doors.



B. E?. T AYLOR.- Lock FoR AuIoMoalLE nouns. APVPLICATI'QH FILED 96T. 9. 1916.

Patented-Nov. 13, 19175 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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B. E. TAYLOR.

LOCK FOR AUTOMOBILEDOORS.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 9, IsIe.

Y 1,246,490.. Patented Nov. 13,A 1917.

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Loox ros Auromosue, sobres. APPLICATION LEU DCT. 9. |916.

Y 1.246.490. l `1 atendN0v.13,1917.

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N'ITED STATES PATENT GFFCE.

BAYARDE. TAYLOR, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

Loon ron AUTOMOBILE-pocas.

Specification of, Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1,91*?.

Application filed October 9, 191; Serial No. 124,687.,

T all whom t may concern Be it known that I, BAYARD E. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the village of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements ,fin Locks for Automobile-Doors; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,

and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this-specilication.

This invention relates to an improved form of automobile lock, although of course, the lock is adapted for use for many other purposes, wherein it serves to latch a metal strap member, which is connected upon the door jamb or frame and may belocked in position under stress,-wliich may be adjusted at will, so that the door is held tightly closed, free from rattling, in iits frame; and furthermore, by changing the relation of said sliding strap member, with a locking mechanism, the door may be positively held at various degrees of opening, for purposes of ventilation, when used where such is desirable.

lt is an object therefore of this invention to construct an automobile'doorlock embracinO a tiexible member adapted for hinged connection to the door frameand having sliding relation with a lock mechanism on the door which is constructed to interlock therewith, latching the door closed with ing` slidable engagement with the device and connected to the frame on which the door is mounted, and constructed to impose stress upon the sameafter latching therewith, to draw the door upon which the dev-ice is attached, cl-osely into its frame.

It is furthermore an object-of thisinvention 'to construct a door locking devlceembracing a casing i with a handle lmember rotatably mounted thereon `and operatable against the stress of a springv impelled rack to which it is geared, and: connected to op= erate an eccentric latching member adapted to latch with means which` is attached to the frameon which thefdoor-is mounted and after latching therewith, to draw the same under tension .to final. locked position from: Y

which it cannot be` moved without proper manipulation of the operating handle.

It is finally an obj ect of ,this invention to construct an improved type of doorlock involving the use of a flexible meta-l strap member adapted to be interlocked with mechanism .attached upon the door, in different adjusted positions with respectthereto to lock the door in either open or closed position, and when interlockedwith said mechanisni, to fasten the doorin closed position under stress, positively secured and free` from rattling.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter morey fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a horizontal section taken through a door equippedwith a locking device embodying the principles `of my inven tion, and showing the operation in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a front face view of the lock detached from the door, and Vwith. lparts shown iii section.

Fig. 3 is an interior plan view of the rear half of the lock casing, showing 'the bottom slide plate of the construction as well as the eccentrically operated latchinginember.

Fig. 4t is a detail sectionalview taken on lineal- 4, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an exterior plan view of the lock mechanism, with parts in locked position.

Fig. 6 is a similar view, illustrating the position of the vparts in the initial release i movement of the lock.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, illustrating the position of the parts as the lock is moved into complete release position, and,

so held against spring stress.

Fig'. S is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustratf ing the parts of the locking mechanism after the lock has been released, and showing the operation Justl prior tothe automatic latching of the lock as the flexible strap lock member moves into latching engagement with the locking latch means.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken on line 9 9, of Fig. 5, but with the cover plate attached.

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken on line 11-11 ot Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is a detail section taken on line 13H13 or Fig. 7.

Fig. 1A is a sectional detail taken on line 11i-14 of Fig. 2, with parts in elevation.

As shown in the drawings, Y

The locking mechanism is incased in a metal casing comprising a rear section of channel shape, denoted by the reference numeral 1, and having side attaching flanges 2, integral therewith, and a flat cover plate 3,

is provided with longitudinal protuberances` 4, formed therein, said cover plate being adapted to be secured over the channel casing plate 1, and attached therewith as a. unit upon a door 5, shown. in Fig. 1, which is.

hinged in a door frame 6. Secured in parallel arrangement, perpendicularly upon the inner surface oit the channel casing member l, and extending longitudinallj7 thereof, are a pair of guide bars 7 and 8, respectively, which extend outwardly beyond the casing member 1, aiiording attaching eyeplates 9, hereinafter described.

Upwardly projecting lugs 10, are formed along the upper edge of the respective guide members 7 and 8, which engage through apertures in the cover plate 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, to assist in holding the same properly located upon the channel casing member 1. A bottom slide plate denoted as a whole by the reference character A, is slidably mounted against the inner surface of the channel casing member 1, with a portion thereof slid-able between the guide members 7 and 8, and is provided with a slot, in register with an aperture 12, which is formed in the channel casing member 1.

Disposed fiat against the inner surface of the casing member 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, is a tiltable latch plate 15, and a relatively large circular aperture 13, is provided therethrough adapted to receive itted therein a circular eccentric 14, formed on a handle stud or shaft 15, which is journaled through registering apertures provided in the cover plate 3, and the casing member 1, respectively. A hand wheel 16, is secured upon the upper squared end of the handle shaft or stud 15, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 14.

Slidably mounted over the respective plates A and 13, is another plate denoted as a whole by the reference character 0, which has a rectangular aperture 17,

through which projects a latching tooth 18, formed on one end of the tilt-able plate B Said slidable plate 0, is provided with a downward lug or stop 19, which projects into the rectangular space formed between the end 20, of plate A and the catch member 3, said projection 19, extending beyond the surface of plate A.

Said plate (3, at one side thereof, is provided with a long dat bar or rod extension 21, clearly shown in Fig. 6, which extends slidably between upwardly projecting guide lugs 22, formed upon the bottom slide plate A, and has coiled therearound a compression spring 23, bearing at one end against said lugs 22, and at its other end against a. washer 24.-, pinned at the end of said Fiat bar extension 21. rlhus said plates A and B, are constrained to slide together except for the relative movement allowed therebetween to further compress the initially stressed compression spring 23.

Formed upon the handle stud or shaft 15, is a geared segment 25, and at one side thereof is a shoulder or stop 26. Said slidable plate (1, is provided with an extension 27, the edge of which forms a stop for the shoulder 26, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 8. For the purpose of tilting the plate B, for instance, from the position shown in Fig. 6, to that shown in Fig. 7, a pin projection 28, is formed thereon adapted to be contacted by one or" the teeth of the gear segment 25,'

when the handle is turned beyond the initial release position shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Slidably mounted within the casing at one side thereof, disposed above and slidable upon an extension of the plate A, is a rack bar 29, which, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is slidable between the side wall of the channel plate 1, and the edge or the plate C, as well as the guide member 7. The teeth on this rack member 29, are in mesh with the teeth of the gear segment 25, so that actuation of the hand wheel 16, must cause movement of the rack bar 29. Movement of the rack bar 29, is resisted by a coiled spring 30, bearing against one end thereof, and against a stop 31, secured in the channel casing 1. Said channel casing 1, is struck outwardly as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 14, at two points, denoted by the reference numeral 32, corresponding with the protuberances d, (shown in Fig. 2) of the cover plate 1, to aord longitudinal recesses for the respective springs 23 and 30.

As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and A, a cylindrical tube 33, extends between the eye members 9, and is pivotally connected therein by a semi-cylindrical pintle 31, the other end of said tube 33, having sliding telescoping engagement with a rod 35, which extends thereinto and is pivoted upon a bracket 36, on the door frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the inner end of said telescoping rod 35, has threaded thereinto a bolt 37, the end of which is slotted to receive one end of a flexible metal strap 38, engaged therein and held secured by a pin 39. Said steel strap extends along the at side of the semi-cylindrical pintle 34, and inwardly between the guide members 7 and 8, respectively, of the latch casing, disposed above the slide plate A, and extending at its end slidably beneath the slide plate C The inner free end of the strap element 38, is provided with an inclined edge 40, and also a notch 41, said inclined edge 40, adapted to strike the latch 18, to swing the same outwardly against the resistance of the spring 23, resulting from the cam action of plate B against the end of plate A, as shown in yF ig. 8, permitting the same to thereafter engage in the recess 41, as shown in Fig. 6. Said steel strap member 38, is also provided with a series of apertures 42, therethrough, for the purpose of locking said strap in different fixed positions in the lock casing by means hereinafter described.

A stifening plate 43, is secured upon the under surface of the cover plate 3, as shown in Fig. 14, and fitted through an aperture in said cover plate and its plate 43, is an upright tubular member 44, held rigidly in position and provided with a cylindrical vertically movable pin 45, the lower end of which is reduced in diameter to engage through the apertures 42, of the strap, as well as the aperture 12, in the channel casing member 1.

@oiled around said locking pin 45, is a spring 46, bearing upwardly against the top wall of the tubular member 44, and downwardly against a collar or Washer f7, held upon the locking pin 45, by a pin 48. The top surface of the tubular member 44, is notched to receive a handle or finger piece 49, seated therein, which is formed integral with the locking pin 45, to hold the locking pin in the retracted position shown in Fig. 14. Said tubular member 44, is also slotted at right angles to the notched portions'thereof, permitting said linger piece 49, to slide downwardly therein when said linger piece 49, is rotated through an angle of 90 degrees, thus permitting projection of the locking pin through the apertures 42 and 12.

The operation is as follows:

Assume first the door upon which the lock is mounted is in open position and the operation is in the direction of locked position. The spring 30, is under compression and is so held by the stop 27, being in engagement with the projection 26, on the gear segment 25.

A4s the door is swung toward closed position, the flexible strap 38, which is pivotally connected upon the door jamb, slides inwardly through the lock casing between guide members 7 and 8, and plates A and C; and the inclined or mitered edge 40, of the inner free end of said strap contacts with the latch 18, -as shown in Fig. 8, tilting" the latch outwardly, against the pressure being exerted by the spring 23, the plate B pivoting upon the eccentric 14, whichis integral with the gear segment 25.

As :the strap 38, continues its forward movement, vthe free end thereof f, strikes against the lug 19, on the'slide plate C, moving said plate inwardly together with the spring connectedl slide plate A Thus far in the operation, thespring 30, isstill Iheld under tension as the end' 27, of plateV C, has not been carried beyond the stop 2G, on the gear segment 25. Before it is 'moved completely out of engagement with the stop 26, the catch 18, of the latching member B is brought into register with the notch `cut in the end vvof the strap and through the action of spring 23, causes the innermost `end of yplate A to Vmove into forcible contact with the-offset on plate B (gas shown `in Fig. 3) the catch l18, being moved into 4the slot in the strap. AsV the door is further closed, `consequent movement of the flexible vstrap breaks the engagementbetween the stops 26 and 27.` The spring 30, now being free, operates lon vthe rack bar 29, rotating'the eccentric 14, shown in Figs. 13 and 14,so that the `parts'assume the position shown Iin Fig. 5; the movement of the eccentric, in connection with thev latch not only has the stress been carried consider-` ably beyond the dead center of the eccentric, thus insuring a positive fastening, but that the lower edge of the locking member B has, by the throw of the eccentric, been brought into contact with the flange of the lock casing, so by no means aside from operating the handle for the purpose, can the catch 18, be removed from the notch 41, in the strap and the door released.

In order to unlock the door, the hand wheel 15, of the lock, is rotated in a direction toward the hinged side of the door and the following series of operations take place: The rack bar. 29, is retracted against the compression of its spring 30, and the movement of the eccentric 14, relieves the tension stress upon the tiltable plate B. The. spring 23, which is interconnected to plates A and B and initially stressed under compression, being new unrestricted, moves plate C over so that its end 27, passes beneath stop 2G, on the gear segment 25, immediately the latter is moved above it and the parts are thereby held against reverse motion. The parts have noiv taken the positions shoivn in Fig. 6: The catch on plate B is still held rmly in the notch in the flexible strap so that the door, though free from tension, remains securely fastened. Further movement of the handle brings one of the teeth of the gear segment 15, into contact -with the pin 28, projecting :trom the catch plate B, and by the rocking motion in'ipartcd throivs the catch 18, out of the notch in the flexible strap releasing the door, as shown in Fig. 7. T he handle is then released and a backward movement brings the surfaces 26 and 27, into full Contact and the spring BO, is thus held under compression.

lt Will be seen that it is impossible to open the door Without setting the mechanism for the next closing and that When the door has been opened, the parts can not be changed from that position Without closing the door.

1 am aware that various details of construction may be varied through a Wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and Itherefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a door lock of the class described, a flexible strap member connected to the door frame, in sliding engagement With the door, a locking device for said strap member mounted upon the door through Which said strap member slidably extends, latching means Within said mechanism to automatically interlock with said strap as it moves through said mechanism due to closing of the door, and spring stressed means released by continued movement of said strap after latching thereoi2 to draiv the same under tension into said mechanism to hold the door tightly closed.

2. in a locking device for doors, means mounted upon the trame having a sliding connection with the door, a casing mounted upon the door through Which said means slidably extend, a movable latch within said casing adapted to latch with the inner end ot said means as the door is swung toward closed position, and spring stressed mechanism released thereafter to shift said latch into close adjustment with said means to tension said means and draw the door tightly closed.

3. In a locking device for doors of the class described, means pivoted upon the frame having a sliding connection with the door, a casing` secured upon the door With which said means has sliding engagement, a tiltable latch Within said easing adapted to interlock with a notch in the end of said means, a handle member, means holding the same rotated into a position at rest against spring' tension, and mechanism released by said slidable means to permit the movement of the handle member and shift said latch into close engagement with said slidable means to tension the same as the door is svvung closed.

il. ln a locking device of the class described, a flexible strap pivoted upon a door frame, a casing member mounted upon a door hinged in said frame through which said strap slidably extends, a handle member rotatably mounted in said casing, a circular eccentric thereon, a tiltable plate enivith said eccentric, a latch on said plate to interlock with a notch in the end of said strap as the strap moves into the casingwith a closing movement of the door, and resilient mechanism interconnected With said handle released for movement after locking of said latch with said strap to tension the strap by said latch member due to the shifting of said tiltable plate by the eccentric to draw the door tightly closed in the frame.

5. A device of the class described comprising in combination With a door hinged in a frame, means pivoted on the frame and having sliding relation With the door, locking mechanism for said means mounted on the door comprising a latch to interlock with said means and resiliently operating mechanism to shift said latch to stress said means under tension after latching of said means to siving the door tightly closed in its frame.

6. The combination with a door hinged in its frame of locking means mounted upon the door, a member mounted upon the frame having sli ding` engagement therewith, a latch forming a part of said means to interlock With said member as it is projected through said means, and mechanism released by continuous movement of said member to shift said latch under spring tension and stress said member to draw the door tightly closed in its frame.

7. In a door lock ot' the class described, a member connected to the door frame and in sliding engagement with the door, a locking device for said member mounted upon the door through which said member slidably extends, latching means Within said mechanism to automatically interlock with said member as it moves through said mechanism due to closing of the door, spring stressed means released by continued movement of said strap after latching thereoi2 to draw the same under tension into said mechanism to hold the door tightly closed, and a rotatable handle to stress said means and move the same into position to unlock the door.

8. 1n a locking device for doors, means mounted upon the iframe slidable relatively oi: the door, and a casing mounted upon the door through which said means slidably eX- tends, a movable latch within said casing adapted to latch with the inner end of said means as the door is swung toward closed position, spring stressed mechanism released thereafter to shift said latch into close adjustment with said means to tension said means and draw said door tightly closed, and a handle to actuate said means into position under spring stress to unlock` the door.

9. ln a locking device for doors of the class described, means piroted upon the frame for the door, a casing secured upon the door with which said means has sliding engagement, a tilt-able latch within said casing adapted to interlock with a notch in the end of said means, a handle member, means holding the same rotated into a position at rest against spring tension, mechanism actuated by said slidable means to release the handle member and shift said latch into close engagement with said slidable means to tension the same as the door is swung closed, and auxiliary mechanism to interlock with said slidable means to lock the door in either open or closed position.

10. In a locking device of the class described, an apertured ilexible strap pivoted upon a door frame, a casing member mounted upon a door hinged in said frame, through which said strap slidably' extends7 locking mechanism mounted on the casing adapted to interlock with said strap by engagement with one of the apertures therein, a handle member rotatably mounted in said casing, au eccentric thereon, a tiltable plate pivotally engaged with said eccentric, a latch on said plate to interlock with a notch in the end of said strap as the strap moves into the casing with a closing movement of the door, and resilient mechanism interconnected with said handle released for movement after locking of said latch with said strap to tension the strap by said latch member due to the shifting of said tiltable plate by the eccentric to draw the door tightly closed in the frame.

11. A device of the class described comprising in combination with a door hinged in a frame, flexible means pivoted on the frame and having sliding relation with the door, locking mechanism for said means mounted on the door comprising a latch to interlock with said means due to movement of said means inwardly, resiliently operating mechanism to shift said latch to stress said means under tension after latching of said means to swing the door tightly closed in its frame, and an auxiliary locking device for interlocking with said flexible means independent of said latch to lock the door open or closed.

12. The combination with a door hinged in its frame, of locking means mounted upon the door, a member mounted upon the frame having sliding engagement therewith, a

locking member mounted on the locking means to lock said slidable member in different positions, a latch forming a part of said means to interlock with said member as it is projected through said means, and mechanism released by continuous movement of said member to shift said latch under spring tension and stress said member to draw the door tightly closed -in its frame.

13. ln a locking device of the classdescribed a member hinged to the door frame, latching mechanism secured to the door adapted to engage the member to close the door and mechanism for automatically actuating the latching mechanism to exert a tension on the hinged member to draw the door tightly shut.

14. In a locking device for doors coacting latching members one pivoted tothe frame and the other pivoted to the door and adapted to engage each other as the door is closed and a tension mechanism for automatically actuating one of said latching members to tension the other to tightly close the door.

15. In a locking device for doors coacting latching members one pivoted to the frame and the other pivoted to the door and adapted to engage each other as the door is closed, a tension mechanism for automatically actuating one of said latching members to tension the other to tightly close the door and a manually operated mechanism for disengaging said latches and setting the tension mechanism.

16. A locking device for doors comprising interlocking relatively slidable members, one pivoted to the door and the other to thev frame adapted upon closing the door to interlock and a tension mechanism adapted to force one of the members to slide the other locking member relatively thereof to firmly hold the door closed.

17. A locking device for doors comprising interlocking relatively slidable members, one pivoted to the door and the other to the frame adapted upon closing the door to interlock, a tension mechanism adapted to force one of the members to slide the other locking member relatively thereof to firmly hold the door closed and a manually operated mechanism for releasing the tension of said interlocking members and disengaging the same and also for setting the tension mechanism.

18. A locking device for doors comprising coacting locking members, one pivoted to the frame and one to the door, automatic mechanism for actuating one locking member to tension the other and means for engaging one of said locking members and holding the door in any open position.

19. 1n a door lock a casing, an apertured member slidable therein, a latch for engaging said member, mechanism for automatically actuating the latch to tension said apertured member and a bolt for engaging in any of said apertures to iirmly hold the door in any open position.

20. A door lock comprising a casing, a resilient member extending` thereinto, a latch member, a spring pressed rack bar, a toothed Wheel adapted to engage the rack bar to compress the spring, a cam movable therewith, means on said latch member adapted to be engaged by the Wheel to release the latch as the spring is compressed and means for holding the Wheel from rotation to retain said spring compressed.

2l. A door lock comprising a casing, a resilient member extending thereinto7 a latch member, a spring pressed rack bar, a toothed Wheel adapted to engage the rack bar to compress the spring, a cam movable there- With, means on said latch member adapted to be engaged by the wheel to release the latch as the spring is compressed, means for holding the Wheel from rotation to retain said spring compressed and mechanism for automatically releasing the last named means to permit the compression spring to automatically actuate the toothed Wheel and cam to actuate the latch to exert a tension on the resilient member torrmlyrhold the door closed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing- Witnesses.

CHARLES lV. HILLS, Jr. EARL M. HARDINE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

